The 8 Best Business Cell Phones of 2019

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It’s pretty easy for the average consumer to find a great smartphone, but those phones aren’t always the best choices for business use. Business cell phones need to put productivity front-and-center, allowing for easy access to things like email, office-related apps, and more. If you're something who's used to using a physical keyboard and balks at the idea of typing on a touchscreen, there are some phones with tactile keyboards (although, admittedly, those options are limited).

On top of these considerations, you'll want a phone with good security features, an intuitive interface, solid battery life so you can get through your day without recharging, and a larger screen, which makes it better for reading and typing if you plan on working on the go.

Whether you’re looking for a phone that’s super easy to use so you can focus more on running your business, or something with all the latest productivity features, here are the best business cell phones available today.

If you’re looking for the best business smartphone you can buy, look no further than the Samsung Galaxy Note 9. The Note range of phones has long focused on the business user, and the Galaxy Note 9 is no exception. The device has a nice big screen that’s great for reading emails and editing documents. Not only that, but the Note phones also come with the S Pen, which is a stylus and also a remote camera trigger for your phone. Another great feature is Samsung DeX, which allows you to use your phone as a desktop computer with the right dock and an external monitor. That means that on the go, assuming you have access to a monitor setup and the Samsung DeX dock, you’ll be able to access all your phone's files and apps as if it was a computer.

Under the hood, the phone is one of the more powerful devices currently available. It comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, coupled with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM, up to 512GB of storage, and a 6.4-inch display with a resolution of 2,960 x 1,440. The 4,000mAh battery should help the phone last a while, too.

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The Apple iPhone is the single best-selling smartphone out there, and for good reason. iPhones are well-designed, powerful, and extremely easy to use. The latest versions — the iPhone XS and XS Max — are no exception. The XS is our pick, boasting Apple’s new edge-to-edge design, an A12 Bionic processor, and the cameras that Apple has become known for.

Of course, perhaps the best reason to get the iPhone is iOS, Apple’s mobile operating system. iOS has grown a lot over the years, and it’s now super-easy to use, and extremely capable when it comes to things like multitasking. That’s good news for business users, who might need to switch between email clients, office suites, and other business-related apps.

Like the idea of a scaled-back and easy-to-use interface, but don’t necessarily want to buy an iPhone? The Google Pixel 3 XL is the phone for you. The device uses Android like many of the other phones on this list, but it’s Android as Google intended it, meaning that you aren't forced to use any third-party services and the interface is nice and clean.

When it comes to performance, the phone is powerful too. It comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, coupled with 4GB of RAM and up to 128GB of storage. If camera tech is important to you, then this is a great option — the cameras in Google Pixel phones are cutting-edge. And, of course, the phone comes pre-loaded with the Google Play Store, which has pretty much any app you would ever need available for download.

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Like the simplicity and ease of use of iOS but don’t want to spend the cash on Apple’s flagship phone? The iPhone 8 is an older model but still an excellent device. It may not offer the fancy edge-to-edge display of the current flagship, but it still has a ton to offer, including a very respectable processor, good camera, and sleek design.

Of course, the main reason to buy an iPhone 8 these days is to get iOS at a reasonable price. This OS makes multitasking easy and gives you access to the huge range of apps available from the App Store.

If you want a nice, big smartphone for business use and you don’t mind getting one with last year’s tech, then the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is worth looking into. It features a beautiful display, the much-loved Samsung S Pen, and it’s compatible with Samsung DeX, meaning you can use the phone as a desktop computer with the right accessories.

Under the hood, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is a pretty nice device. The phone offers a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, 6GB of RAM, and up to 256GB of storage, which is very respectable. On top of that, the Galaxy Note 8 has an advanced camera and relatively easy-to-use software, which is always helpful.

Looking for a flagship-tier phone but don’t like the idea of spending all that cash? The OnePlus 6T may be the device you’re looking for. The phone may not offer all the fancy bells and whistles of some of the more expensive phones on this list, but it still offers a ton of performance and a nice design at a good price.

When it comes to specs, this Android phone is a powerful one. You’ll get a Snapdragon 845 processor, either 6GB or 8GB of RAM, and up to 256GB of storage. The version of Android that OnePlus uses for its phones is relatively scaled-back, which means that it’s easier to use and lends itself well to multi-tasking.

If you want a business-friendly phone that isn't quite so big, the Samsung Galaxy S9 is a fantastic compact option. The device offers many of the great software business features you would otherwise get on a larger Samsung Galaxy Note phone, but comes in a smaller, sleeker form-factor that might be a little more pocket-friendly.

Spec-wise, the phone is very capable. It features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, 4GB of RAM, and up to 256GB of storage, which is great. The device also has a nice big screen despite its body size, plus it supports Samsung DeX, which allows you to turn your phone into a desktop computer with an external monitor, keyboard, mouse, and the Samsung DeX dock.

While the vast majority of cell phones have abandoned the physical keyboard, many people still prefer typing on buttons to typing on a touchscreen. If that’s you, then the Blackberry Key2 is your best bet.

In recent years, BlackBerry has adopted Android as the operating system on its phones, and we think that’s a good thing. On top of that, BlackBerry offers security and privacy services that help make your data a whole lot more secure. When it comes to specs, the phone offers a Qualcomm 660 processor, 6GB of RAM, and up to 128GB of internal storage, which should be plenty for most users.

Our Process

Our writers spent 3 hours researching the most popular business cell phones on the market. Before making their final recommendations, they considered 25 different phones overall, screened options from 10 different brands and manufacturers, read over 20 user reviews (both positive and negative) and tested 8 of the phones themselves. All of this research adds up to recommendations you can trust.